Scavello wins sixth term in 176th district

State Rep. Mario Scavello, R-176, appears to have won a sixth full term Tuesday, despite facing his toughest opposition since winning his first race in 2002, according to unofficial returns.

State Rep. Mario Scavello, R-176, appears to have won a sixth full term Tuesday, despite facing his toughest opposition since winning his first race in 2002, according to unofficial returns.

Democrat Maureen Madden, a Northampton Community College professor, strongly challenged Scavello and the Republican-controlled General Assembly on budget priorities that included cutting funding for several programs.

She also charged that Scavello failed to deliver on promises to reduce the local school property tax burden by substituting a combination of increased sales and income taxes.

Scavello said he has repeatedly pushed for school tax reform and tried to build coalitions among legislators, many of whose districts haven’t been hurt nearly as much as Monroe County by rapid student population growth that spawned new school construction and hiring.

The 176th is the only legislative district contained entirely within Monroe County.

It includes all or part of Coolbaugh, Jackson, Paradise and Pocono townships and Mount Pocono, East Stroudsburg and Stroudsburg boroughs.